Why a player that wasn't even on the field also deserves credit for Spencer Rattler's pick 6 against Tennessee
Tennessee Vols cornerback Kamal Hadden's interception of South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback Spencer Rattler on Saturday night came at a huge moment for UT. With the second half coming to an end, Tennessee was clinging to a seven point lead. While it looked like the Vols were going to stop South Carolina before the half (it […]
Tennessee Vols cornerback Kamal Hadden's interception of South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback Spencer Rattler on Saturday night came at a huge moment for UT.
With the second half coming to an end, Tennessee was clinging to a seven point lead. While it looked like the Vols were going to stop South Carolina before the half (it was third-and-forever when Rattler threw the interception), there was no guarantee that UT would score before halftime (the Vols would've got the ball with less than 50 seconds remaining and only one timeout).
Hadden's interception, which was returned for a touchdown, instantly gave Tennessee some much-needed momentum going into the half (especially after wide receiver Bru McCoy's devastating ankle injury).
The interception started with pressure from sophomore edge rusher James Pearce, which prevented Rattler from setting his feet, which led to the throw sailing over his intended target.
Great job Hadden. Great job Pearce. And great job….Dee Williams?
That's right. Tennessee's punt returner deserves some credit for that play, too.
South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer explained after the game, when he was asked if he thought about running the ball on third down, that punting to Williams to end the first half wasn't an idea that the Gamecocks loved.
"Certainly we thought about it," said Beamer when asked about running the ball. "They had, I think, two timeouts. They had at least one. If we ran the ball, they were going to call timeout — assuming we don't get it. Now you are backed up and you are punting to their punt returner that is averaging 21 yards a return right now. That is scary as well. I trust Spencer and that's what I told him to start the second half. I told Dowell (Loggains, South Carolina's OC) to throw it there because I trust Spencer in that situation."
"Obviously, a tough way to finish the half," added Beamer. "Yes, to answer your question, we thought about running it. Maybe you pop it for a first down. But the odds say they are going to get a stop [and] call a timeout. You are backed up and now you are punting to a really good returner when you are backed up and you are giving them field position. We knew how explosive they are on offense."
If Tennessee doesn't have a player like Williams as a punt returner, maybe South Carolina runs the ball and Hadden never gets a chance for the interception.
It's always a total team effort when you win in the SEC. And that was certainly the case in the Vols' win against the Gamecocks this past Saturday night in Knoxville.
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